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Tuesday, November 20, 2018
By Twelfth+Grace
‘Tis the season for turkey and traditions.
November has become my favorite month of the year (partly because it's my wedding anniversary!!) but it also is the month when more people focus on gratitude. Now, I definitely love October because typically that's when the leaves change colors and we have had some fabulous colors this year. I also love December with it's hot chocolate, Christmas, and holiday movies (Elf is my favorite!) at home. Each part of the holiday season is filled with love and joy, and I try to appreciate them all.
But to me, nothing beats November, because it is a time where you are reminded to be thankful. It's a simple concept but it's very easy to forget. In the late summer I started a gratitude journal, writing down 5-10 things I'm grateful for each day...sometimes small things like a good cup of coffee...sometimes big things like being healthy and everything in between. Gratitude is an important trait to master not only during this season of focused thanksgiving and being grateful, but all year round! It can truly change our mindset and our perception of our circumstances.
A number of years ago, my husband and I started a tradition of doing "I'm Thankful for You" notes in a basket starting November 1st, leading up to Thanksgiving. Then on Thanksgiving Day, we swap baskets and quietly read each other's notes. Being thankful every day is important, but it writing down your blessings is a great tradition that makes each year special and keeps the bond strong. You could do this with your spouse or children, too!
Thanksgiving is definitely one of my favorite holidays of the year – but so many things take the focus away from gratitude, such as sales and the stress of cooking the "big meal". Make this year a little more special by adding a new tradition to the mix to bring your family closer.
What about you? What are your Thanksgiving traditions?